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Joseph Haydn – Famous Works

Haydn string quartets Erdody edition title page
Edition of Haydn’s string quartets dedicated to Count Erdődy, reflecting his pivotal role in shaping the genre.

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) was one of the foundational figures of the Classical era and is often regarded as the “father” of the symphony and the string quartet. His music is characterized by formal clarity, balance, and inventive development, playing a decisive role in shaping the principal genres of his time.

His output includes symphonies, concertos, chamber music, keyboard works, sacred compositions, and operas, with a particular emphasis on symphonic and chamber forms. The following is a representative selection of his most significant works.

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Symphonies

  • Symphony No. 6 in D major, “Le matin”
  • Symphony No. 7 in C major, “Le midi”
  • Symphony No. 8 in G major, “Le soir”
  • Symphony No. 30 in C major, “Alleluja”
  • Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor, “Farewell”
  • Symphony No. 73 in D major, “La chasse”
  • Symphony No. 82 in C major, “The Bear”
  • Symphony No. 85 in B-flat major, “La Reine”
  • Symphony No. 92 in G major, “Oxford”
  • Symphony No. 94 in G major, “Surprise”
  • Symphony No. 100 in G major, “Military”
  • Symphony No. 101 in D major, “The Clock”
  • Symphony No. 104 in D major, “London”

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Concertos

  • Horn Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 in D major
  • Cello Concerto in C major, Hob. VIIb:1
  • Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major, Hob. VIIe:1
  • Violin Concertos (Nos. 1–4)

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Chamber Music

  • String Quartets (over 60 works)
  • Piano Trios (approx. 45 works)
  • Violin and keyboard sonatas
  • Works for baryton

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Keyboard Music

  • Piano Sonatas (over 50 works)

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Sacred Music

  • Missa brevis
  • Missa in angustiis (“Nelson Mass”)
  • The Seven Last Words of Christ
  • The Creation
  • The Seasons

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Operas

  • Il mondo della luna
  • L’isola disabitata
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🔎 Work Analyses of Joseph Haydn on MusiLLection

You can explore detailed analyses of selected works below:


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